Value of India’s most powerful brands increases by a third in a year

The value of India’s most powerful brands has increased by 33 per cent in a year, according to data from Millward Brown, which publishes the annual BrandZ Top 50 Most Valuable Indian Brands study.

The value of India’s top 50 brands rose from $70 billion in 2014 to $92.2 billion this year, driven principally by the banking sector whose brands increased in value by 45 per cent.

The increase is the biggest since Millward Brown started measuring brand value globally.

Like last year, India’s most powerful brand is HDFC Bank, and there was no change in the top four ranking.

The report finds that unlike in many others markets, Indians have faith in brands; 33 per cent say they trust brands.

The study also finds that Indian consumers expect brands to actively participate in building a better society – and those that do have a higher brand value.

Ranjan Kapur, country manager for WPP India, said: “Building a successful brand in India also means helping to build India itself. Consumers are trustful of brands, but trust can crumble overnight. Brands must work hard to sustain trust by connecting with the country’s communal sense of responsibility. Brands need to find ways to support the national agenda, and help to develop a more modern, prosperous and equitable society.”